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Its Time by Aruna Ladva, B.K. Publications, London

any of us continually postpone our happiness indefinitely. Its not that we consciously set out to do so, but we keep assuring ourselves: Someday Ill be happy. It will be interesting to see just how well you read the above title. Did you read it as: Happiness is nowhere (Oh no!) or that Happiness is now here! (Yippee!) Even if there was a slight vision adjustment needed to view the correct sentence, its an indication of exactly how correct the subconscious mind really is whether it sees happiness everywhere or not. We tell ourselves, well be happy when we get out of school get our first job get a promotion when our bills and mortgages are paid off. We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another and oh, perhaps another might bring a bundle of joy! Then we assure ourselves that well have more space and time when the kids go to school or when they get through the troubled teens phase. Ultimately we tell ourselves that we will be happier next year or during our next
The World Renewal, July 2012

vacation! The truth is, there is no better time to be happy than RIGHT NOW. In fact, a widely publicized study reported in the British Medical Journal in 2008, involving 4700 participants, revealed that happiness, more than unhappiness, tends to spread in social networks from person to person more consistently. The power of happiness, moreover, can span another degree of separation, elevating the mood of that persons husband, wife, brother, sister or friend. Happiness is indeed contagious! Researchers, at Harvard University, who helped conduct the study, wrote that one persons happiness can affect anothers for as long as a year, and while unhappiness can also spread from person to person, the infectiousness of that emotion appears to be far weaker. This proves that happiness is innately closer to the soul, than sadness and that by nature we are happy beings. Since happiness can spread through a population like a virus, why can it not influence and improve the health and well-being of clusters of people, who do not even know each

other? Surveys by Gallup Poll, the National Opinion Research Center and Pew Research Center conclude that spiritually committed people are twice as likely to report being very happy than the least religiously committed people. Perhaps this could be due to having a social network, the fulfillment of volunteering or a sense of purpose. Happier people are more productive and thus more successful. Happy hormones create a healthier life and so your cells begin to smile too! Happiness is a mindset; turn on your switch to happiness. Happiness is a power. Sadness is simply an absence of happiness, as darkness is absence of light. When your mind is set and you are truly exhilarated, especially about something that you were striving to achieve, you wont allow anything to steal your happiness. A happy attitude has to be cultivated. Take things lightly and go easy on yourself. Nothing is as serious as it looks. And nothing as bad as it seems. If you have lost your happiness because you burnt your expensive shawl, or broke your precious vase or scratched your new car, then think again. Did you really ever think that those
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things could give you infinite happiness? So what about relationships, you may ask. What if that someone special, who seemingly gave you so much happiness, suddenly decides to exit from your life in whatever shape or form, is your sadness not justified then? Fortunately not! To think that something or someone out there, is the SOURCE of your happiness, is an illusion, the consumer industry has been thriving and booming on. If you are happy in that ones company, its because they are REFLECTING back the happiness, that is already there inside of you. The happiness Rajyoga refers to, is not one derived from temporal experiences such as indulging in chocolates or receiving accolades and awards, but rather an innate happiness that bubbles from within the moment you simply remember, that is, re-member with your happy state. Being happy is a choice. Choose this week to be happy for no other reason than the fact that you deserve to be happy. Just try it; what have you got to lose? (Sadness!?) Start emerging happy hormones, and youll see just how contagious it is. There is no doubt that we are happier when we are in close proximity to other happy people therefore, choose to be around happy people. In the practice of meditation, you ascend from happiness, to joy, to bliss until you finally arrive at fulfillment and contentment. And it is at this point that you arrive at peace. This is the state where peace is synonymous with happiness. Its time to choose to be happy. Happiness is not tomorrow, its now. It is not a destination; its enjoying the journey. Happiness is not a dependency on something or someone, its a decision you take for yourself. And before you know it, youll be flying above all your worries, and all the things due to which you were postponing your happiness and then the inner voice will shout out happiness is now here!
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SEVEN WAYS TO ELEVATE THOUGHTS

Dr. Anand Mahanand, Hyderabad How much time you spend in selfintrospection? How often you wonder about your greatness? You consider yourself handsome, Highborn and fairest of all How do you think you are right? But others are inefficient, lazy and corrupt You waste much time speaking ill of others Giving names to your rivals and neighbours Making fun of them as subjects to condemn Pouring cans of poison and venom You are pained to see your rival progress But have a hearty laugh if he's depressed How much you hatch plans for your enemies? Don't know someone is constantly watching ? Understand you'll receive what you give Don't indulge into waste thoughts You are not made for them They will pull you down Turn your destiny to hell The Dhammapada says: 'Don't follow low practices Don't live carelessly Don't hold wrong views Don't prolong the suffering world." So also Sri Auronbindo: "Elevate your self And realize the divine in you." So, give up your waste thoughts Say 'stop" when they occur Or divert them towards divinity Towards peace, happiness and purity They will make your life better Happy, peaceful and pure.
The World Renewal, July 2012